"54mm ACW figures" Topic

I had my kids this weekend, and my 8 year old son followed me down to the basement and said that he wanted to play with the civil war soldiers. I had the remnants of an AWI scenario still on the board, so I scooped those figures up and plopped down some ACW troops. My 11 year old daughter wanted to join in as well.

The Union were holding a farm and ford, while the Confederates made an uncoordinated attack to the Union's front and flank. The Union had 30 men and a cannon, while the Rebs had 50 men and a cannon. The dice were with the Union that day, and the Confederates were bloodily repulsed with 23 casualties v 8 brave men in blue who met their maker.

We just used some simple homemade rules that were in my head, and I made up some morale rules on the spot.

flickr.com/photos/79thpa

My son's kids love to play with cars,soldiers and dinos in a mix of mayhem that only 5-8 year olds can concieve. For their 4th birthday the boys get big oversized (like 70mm) plastic knights. For birthday 5 they get a healthy quantity of 54mm (painted by grandpa) ACW. Both sides. All arms. For birthday 6 they get WWII 54mm Germans and Americans with – their favorites – tanks. I am currently finishing up the ACW artillery for grandson #2. Grandson #3 is being switched to the French and Indian war for birthday 5 and the new 54mm Vietnam figs for his 6th. My oldest grandchild is the only girl in the family but she loves to play too, just not as much. She prefers to get books. So well done 79th PA (from the 6th OVI) H

My daughter has a bag containing assorted 54mm-ish soldiers from the AWI through Vietnam, as well as cowboys and Indians, dinos, and Disney characters, all of which see action on the same table.

Anything that gets the little ones gaming is a great thing. I have hopes of teaching my 6 year old grand daughter to play games with "Poppo's" pretty soldiers (32mm ToyTown figures).

Single oldER never married guy here, but guys, Make the Most of the time while their interested in your hobby.

In time (the teen yrs) the interests will surely change, as always, but I bet years from now.. they will have some great memories, and very possible, some will even return to the hobby themselves.